I was a holdout until I saw postings that ppl w/Diamond Surpass were getting an extra yr w/$40K spend in 2009. In essence, $150 for 2 yrs of Diamond w/1 yr $40K spend in addition to the bonus points for joining (up to 60K w/stay bonus) and an unpublished benefit of 10K points when cashing in an award.

My Diamond is via stays. It's worth $150 for 2 yrs Diamond (if this continues) for me as I had a couple of years where I would have missed by 1 or 2 stays. $75/yr is much less than I spent on the extra stay (or two). Now I no longer have to scramble at the end of the year if I come up short. AND I only have to do the 40K spend every other year. In the meantime, I can get and maintain highest status in another hotel program. I won't even have to set foot in another Hilton (except awards) after the bonuses are done! Definitely worth it for me!